Welcome to New Flavors!

Anthony Kerzman’s Original Documentary

Building a New Flavors Food Truck

New Flavors introduces the culture of our newest friends and neighbors.
It opens opportunity into the local economy.
And it engages the community’s young and vibrant members who strive for diversity, inclusion and an abundance of options.

Our Story

We (the Mahs) left our birth country, Liberia, for the Ivory Coast to seek refuge from the civil war. We lived in the Ivory Coast from December 3, 1996 to November 12, 2002. Our departure from the Ivory Coast was due to the outbreak of another rebel war in the at country. we escaped-> Continue reading Meet the “Taste of Liberia” Team

Fifi was born and raised in Malaysia, a multi-ethnic country in South East Asia where food always comes with a pack of flavors. Fifi left Malaysia in 2009 and continued her studies in Korea before moving to the United States. And while she continued to travel to and live in other countries, what she couldn’t-> Continue reading Guest Post – Fifi, the Chef behind “Seri Pandan”

(Edited version of an earlier post)

Telling our story is important.

Guest post from a New Flavors renter/chef/entrepreneur/friend: Hi, my name is Dinesh Mishra (Danny)and here is my story. “I came to the United States in 2010 as a student at MSUM in Moorhead, MN. Then I moved to Kentucky to continue my school and help my uncle to start a Nepali Indian restaurant. Since-> Continue reading Meet Dinesh Mishra

Telling our story is important.

What a remarkable moment. This process of building a truck, building a team, building a company, building a sustaining foundation has been going on for so long, it is a bit difficult to stop and recognize the moment that just happened. This past weekend, New Flavors hosted Elias Dean at the Grand Forks Art on-> Continue reading A remarkable moment

OUR FIRST RENTER . . . Elias Dean. – May 4, 2017 – Alley Alive. Downtown Grand Forks. Elias is not just a renter but he’s been an advisor and mentor on the business side of running this New Flavors operation. Our goal has always been twofold – provide economic opportunity to our new neighbors-> Continue reading Our first renter (insert drumroll)

So tomorrow is the big day. The New Flavors Food truck, hosting Elias Dean of Steers Somali Restaurant will be at Grand Forks’ Alley Alive event. It’s been quite a process and through these postings, I’m going to fill you in on the whole thing. Let it suffice to say there is an equal mix of anxiety-> Continue reading And we’re off!

Welcome to New Flavors Food Truck! This site, like the full project to bring New Flavors to the Grand Forks, ND area through New American food and culture, will be up and running soon. Check back for progress.

What is a New Flavors Food Truck?

The New Flavors Food Truck is a generic food truck available to new American residents to incubate new food-service businesses.
Food is a social connector. Immigrant populations in other cities have effectively integrated by sharing their traditional cuisine with those unfamiliar with their country.
The New Flavors Food Truck is an opportunity to celebrate emerging cultures while providing job and educational training to new Americans – as well as an opportunity to test, refine and incubate food service businesses at lower risk than opening a storefront location.
Importantly - ok, VERY importantly - New Flavors is here because of Knight Foundation and, specifically, Knight Cities Challenge. In seeking ideas of any size to benefit Knight Communities, the KCC is an unparalleled effort for civic innovation, social disruption and community building.

Providing Economic Opportunity

New Americans specifically will get a chance for easy entry into the food sector.

Building Inclusion

Creating opportunities for new cultures to be explored by community members in a fun, non-threatening and, oh yeah, YUMMY way.

Retaining Talent

By creating vibrant, diverse activities to this college town, NFFT will help reinforce Grand Forks as a great place for young talent.

Promoting Civic Innovation

NFFT exemplifies and therefore encourages civic innovations - the necessary actions that help to strengthen robust cities with thriving economies and quality of life.

OUR TEAM

Here's a look at who's making the truck run.

Pete Haga

Pete was a proud recipient of a Knight Cities Challenge grant from Knight Foundation to establish an ‘uber for food trucks’ aimed at increasing the inclusion and economic opportunities for New Americans. He works for the Grand Forks Mayor and has an amazing – and patient – family.

BARRY WILFARHT

Barry has an incredibly vast experience with public and private organizations and has served in every capacity and performed just about every function possible. Barry is the Executive Director of The Chamber and of numerous boards.

Ilhaam Hassan

New Flavors Board & Restaurant Entrepreneur

Ilhaam brings a vast experience in the food economy. As part of the ownership team of Juba Cafe, Ilhaam is a part of the local food economy.

Molly Yeh

Board Member, Food Blogger and Book Author.

Food Blogger extraordinaire, Molly Yeh not only brings an expertise in the culinary field but an amazing grasp of brand, design and digital presence. Look for her book – released recently – that showcases her talent in so many ways.

MATT WALKOWIAK

Matt is a perpetual community builder and community supporter. In addition to running his own restaurant, Ground Round, he is incoming chair of The Chamber and members of various community boards and organizations.

Noura Ahmed

Board Member and representative of Somali community in Grand Forks.

Kristi Mishler

Fmr Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region

Kristi tirelessly works for the community in numerous ways. Whether through the Community Foundation or the numerous other leadership positions, Kristi champions an informed and engaged community, broad philanthropy and putting the right people in the right place to make the right result.

KNIGHT CITIES CHALLENGE

Knight Foundation

The Knight Cities Challenge is designed to help spur civic innovation at the city, neighborhood, and block levels, and all sizes in between. KCC projects focus on three key drivers of city success: attracting talented people, expanding economic opportunity and creating a culture of civic engagement.

Get in touch

Knight Foundation

New Flavors is supported by the Knight Foundation, Knight Cities Challenge Program.